I have nothing but GREAT things to say about my experience taking the 3-day California Motorcycle Safety Course in Santa Clarita with Top Gun.
I took it this last weekend, 2/28-3/1/2020 at COC with Charlie and Elliott who were BOTH outstanding teachers albeit with very different personalities. I'm not gonna lie -- I was a little scared of Charlie on the first night but turns out she just cares, knows her stuff and wants the BEST for all of us riders! She's my peeps now, for sure.
As promised, we were taught measurable and demonstrable skills. In fact, I had NEVER ridden a motorcycle other than a dirt bike and that, not so many times so this was a big move up for me. That said - do NOT expect to hit the streets after this class IF you're a total noobie - you will still need plenty of practice before doing so (I already bought my own cones on the Zon so I can visit many, many parking lots on the weekends!) I can NOT imagine having started riding (or those who have dared to ride the streets) without this class - you are really just taking your life in your own hands without the skills and lessons learned here.
Charlie was fantastic - very attentive and always gave me personalized feedback and critique when needed (and she probably held back a few times, too!). She was fair across the board with all riders. Yes, I was the only chick in my riding group and NO, I felt neither favored nor singled out (I see many comments from chicks to this effect; get over yourselves). Charlie is in THE right place doing a thing she loves and ALL of her students are blessed with the passion, insight and knowledge she has obviously gained over a lifetime of riding!
So -- specific experiences -- I lit the paper on fire trying to take notes as quickly as Charlie talked during the class sessions but that's ok - writing is how I get it in my head. Even when no one else was writing! If writing is how you learn too, take paper with you.
Give yourself grace. I personally got frustrated on the Emergency/Quick-Stop lessons but took myself out of line for a count-to-ten and deep breath as I know my own limits. You should know yours, too! Thank you, Elliott, for walking away (LOL)!
I loved the "swerving" exercises. Refer to the aforementioned cones I bought from the Zon - will be practicing more on my own for sure.
Day 3 (Day 2 of riding) was harder because I was physically tired from riding the day before. They give you much, much time actually ON the bike which is great but if you're not ready physically - you'll feel it, for sure. My forearms hurt for a few days after holding in the clutch for the 2 classes but hey - get used to it! Not unsurmountable!
The mock "go play in traffic" set up at the end of class was useful as well as hilarious. Think back to your days in Pre-School where we did the same on tricycles!
So thankfully, I passed the course though such status came with the comment that my passing had been "very close to call" (gulp) so I beat myself up for the rest of the day. I eventually got over it and realized that the class was just one step of many I need to take in learning to be a great and safe rider. I instead opted for focusing on being grateful for the experience and exposure I was given to this class and great teachers and to take all that I had learned from them and determined myself to practice, practice, practice many, many hours before taking on a street with other vehicles! It is clear that the staff only cares about each student so whatever your result will be, accept it with grace, too, and do what you need to do to keep learning!
Side note: after the class, I spent many hours "You Tubing" for videos related to beginner riding and the HUGELY IMPORTANT Counter Steering which I did not 100% grasp in class. Now I "get it"! (Warning - don't watch every YouTube video you find - many were created by complete morons whom I can now identify just from what I learned having taken this class!)
Also - if any of my classmates read this - a huge shout out to Aiden - KEEP LEARNING! You touched my heart doing this so you could ride with your Dad! And to the guy who never touched a motorcycle before (I'm sorry I didn't catch your name) - you did AWESOME! Kudos to you both and to all whom I had the pleasure of learning and riding with! (Now go get legitimate licenses you 12500s!!! LOL)
And finally - THANK YOU, CHARLIE and the entire Top Gun Team. (I wish I had taken a photo now that I see some here!) You were great and I have so many memories from the formal lessons and personal anecdotes you shared with us; all of which will help form me as a great and safe motorcycle rider!
#CHARLIEROCKS
#YOUCANDOITTOO
#RIDESAFEANDLICENSED
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